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Billing Overview

Exotel operates on a prepaid, credit-based billing model. You purchase credits in advance, and usage is deducted in real time as calls are made and SMS messages are sent. This guide explains how billing works across all Exotel services.

tip

To check your current balance or add credits, log in to my.exotel.com and navigate to Billing in the left sidebar.

How Exotel Billing Works​

┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                  Exotel Billing Flow                  │
│                                                       │
│   Add Credits ──► Account Balance ──► Usage Deducted  │
│   (Prepaid)       (Real-Time)        (Per-Pulse/SMS)  │
│                                                       │
│   ┌─────────────┐  ┌─────────────┐  ┌─────────────┐  │
│   │   Voice      │  │    SMS      │  │  ExoPhone   │  │
│   │   Per-pulse  │  │  Per-message│  │  Rental     │  │
│   └─────────────┘  └─────────────┘  └─────────────┘  │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Billing Components​

ComponentBilling ModelFrequency
Voice CallsPer-pulse (typically 60-second pulses)Real-time deduction
SMS MessagesPer-message (varies by route/type)Real-time deduction
ExoPhone RentalMonthly rental per virtual numberMonthly charge
WhatsApp MessagesPer-conversation (24-hour window)Real-time deduction
Contact CenterPer-agent seat (monthly)Monthly charge
Add-on ServicesVaries by featureAs configured

Account Balance​

Your account balance is the total credit available for usage. It is displayed in real time on the Exotel dashboard and can be queried via the API.

Balance Deduction Priority​

  1. Voice calls -- Deducted at the end of each pulse during the call
  2. SMS -- Deducted when the message is submitted to the carrier
  3. Recurring charges -- Deducted on the renewal date (ExoPhone rental, agent seats)
warning

If your account balance reaches zero, all outbound calls and SMS will be blocked immediately. Inbound calls to your ExoPhones will also stop working. Set up usage alerts to avoid service disruption.

Billing Cycle​

Exotel follows a calendar month billing cycle:

  1. Credit Purchase -- Add credits at any time via the dashboard or bank transfer
  2. Real-Time Usage -- Credits are consumed as services are used
  3. Monthly Invoice -- A GST-compliant invoice is generated at the end of each month
  4. Renewal Charges -- ExoPhone rentals and seat licenses renew on their activation anniversary

Key Billing Concepts​

Pulse-Based Voice Billing​

Voice calls are billed in pulses. A pulse is the minimum billable unit for a call, typically 60 seconds. If a call lasts 61 seconds with a 60-second pulse, you are charged for 2 pulses.

See Pricing Model for detailed pulse billing mechanics.

Per-SMS Billing​

SMS messages are billed per message sent, regardless of delivery status. Rates vary based on:

  • Message type -- Transactional, promotional, or OTP
  • Route -- DLT-compliant routes have different pricing
  • Volume -- Higher volumes may qualify for discounted rates

ExoPhone Rental​

Each virtual number (ExoPhone) incurs a monthly rental charge. Rental amounts depend on:

  • Number type -- Landline, mobile, or toll-free
  • Region -- Indian or international numbers
  • Features -- Standard vs. vanity numbers

Billing Dashboard​

Access your billing information at my.exotel.com > Billing:

SectionWhat You Can Do
BalanceView current credit balance and recent transactions
Add CreditsPurchase credits via multiple payment methods
UsageView detailed usage breakdown by service type
InvoicesDownload monthly GST-compliant invoices
AlertsConfigure low-balance and spending alerts
Payment HistoryView all past credit purchases and payments